Bill
Bill > S2238
NJ S2238
NJ S2238Directs State Board of Education to authorize issuance of new endorsements in certain fields.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill directs the State Board of Education to authorize the issuance of new endorsements in the areas of special education, elementary and middle school education, and bilingual and bicultural education. The bill directs the State Board of Education to authorize the issuance of a Students with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement to the instructional certificate. The endorsement authorizes the holder to teach students with disabilities, with the exception of students who are blind or visually impaired or deaf or hard of hearing, in all public schools and in all grade levels. Under the bill, the holder of a Students with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement may provide consultative services and supportive resource programs to students with disabilities in general education programs. The bill further provides that the holder of a current students with disabilities endorsement issued administratively prior to the bill's effective date may be granted the new endorsement upon application to the board. Under current law, special education teachers may teach students classified with disabilities in only the grade levels specified on their other endorsements. The bill directs the State Board of Education to authorize the issuance of a Kindergarten through Grade 8 endorsement to the instructional certificate. The endorsement will permit the holder to teach: · students in all public schools in grades kindergarten through six; and · the specialty subjects on the face of the certificate to students in grades seven and eight in all public schools. Under current law, numerous endorsements limit the holder to teaching either only to students in elementary level grades or only to students in middle school grades. Finally, the bill authorizes the State Board of Education to issue a Bilingual and Bicultural Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement to the instructional certificate. The endorsement will authorize the holder to teach bilingual and bicultural education in all public schools and in all grade levels. Under the bill, a candidate for the endorsement is required to demonstrate oral and writing competence in English and the target language; complete an approved bilingual and bicultural education program; and meet any other requirements established by the board. Under current law, candidates for the Bilingual and Bicultural endorsement are required to have an additional endorsement for subject or grade level to be taught.
AI Summary
This bill directs the State Board of Education to create new teaching certifications, called endorsements, to expand the qualifications of educators. Specifically, it mandates the creation of a "Students with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12" endorsement, allowing teachers to instruct students with disabilities across all grade levels, except for those who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing, and also enabling them to provide support services within general education classrooms. This new endorsement can be granted to existing special education teachers upon application. The bill also introduces a "Kindergarten through Grade 8" endorsement, which permits teachers to instruct students in kindergarten through sixth grade in all subjects, and in seventh and eighth grades in their specialty subjects, thereby addressing limitations in current endorsements that often restrict teachers to either elementary or middle school grades. Furthermore, a "Bilingual and Bicultural Preschool through Grade 12" endorsement will be authorized, allowing teachers to instruct in bilingual and bicultural education programs from preschool through twelfth grade, provided they demonstrate proficiency in English and another language, complete an approved program, and meet other board requirements; this aims to remove the current need for an additional subject or grade level endorsement for bilingual teachers. The State Board of Education is also tasked with adopting the necessary rules and regulations to implement these changes.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2238 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2238_I1.HTM |
Loading...